Used Car Buying - Transmissions

How to inspect an automatic transmission

An automatic transmission is harder to test than a standard transmission. Our mechanic advises that when considering a car with an automatic transmission it is recommended to research the vehicle reputation for automatic transmissions. Automatic transmissions that have a reputation of being bad are the best ones to avoid altogether. Reading used car reviews will easily identify models prone to automatic transmission problems.





Most specifically cars with a history of automatic transmission problems will be based on the year the car was manufactured in. The problematic transmission can often appear in clusters based upon vehicles produced around the same time that all incorporate the same flawed or underperforming technology. The reputation for a specific make or model of car automatic transmission can be improved upon for newer vehicles of the same make and model type.

How to tell when an automatic transmission is toast

One of the best in person tests that the average person can perform to an automatic transmission during an inspection is to smell the transmission oil itself. While the car is not running, remove the transmission oil dipstick which will be marked as such, or by being the dipstick not marked as engine oil. The color should be a distinct red and will become brown and black over time from heat, grime and transmission wear.





Our expert mechanic advises that a transmission that is worn or overheated will have a distinctive burn odour and a dark brown color. The burnt smell is quite apparent to any person who has smelled more than one transmission fluid dipstick in that they all smell somewhat mechanical and greasy, but a burnt transmission smells like burnt toast. As a general rule if you are unsure as to if the transmission fluid smells burnt or not, it probably is not. If you smell a burnt transmission you will likely realise it immediately as the smell is strong and unmistakable.

How to spot leaks in used car automatic transmissions

Any car with an automatic transmission fluid leak of any kind, which can be easily recognized by being a red fluid, is in serious jeopardy of experiencing transmission failure. The fluid in the transmission protects the moving parts from heat and mechanical wear. If this fluid is not present, which can happen very easily if you do not diligently monitor all of your engine fluids or notice a transmission fluid leak, then transmission damage or failure is inevitable. Since the transmission is one of the most expensive repairs that a car can require you need to be especially wary of any warning signs stemming from transmissions in general.


Next learn how to inspect the exhaust system for a used car.